Ethel Spowers 'Durham Cathedral'

Ethel Spowers was among the artists who brought modernism to Australia. The daughter of a newspaper proprietor, she had the means to travel and in doing so, enrolled in London’s Grosvenor School of Art. Here, she studied under Claude Flight, who engineered the resurgence on printmaking in the twentieth century. Under him, artists like Spowers would come in part, to define art in the interwar period. A salve to the wounds of conflict, their work is supple, dexterous and a celebration of modern life.

In her role, Spowers distilled scenes grand and intimate. Attuned to the rhythm of art, her layered silhouettes recall Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock printing. In ‘Durham Cathedral’, this influence is clear. Considered one of the finest examples of Norman Architecture in Europe, it has been the setting of pivotal moments throughout history and is now a UNESCO world heritage site.

In his account of cathedral, author Nathaniel Hawthorn muses - "I paused upon the bridge, and admired and wondered at the beauty and glory of this scene...it was grand, venerable, and sweet, all at once; I never saw so lovely and magnificent a scene, nor, being content with this, do I care to see a better." In Spowers’s delicate rendition, this sentiment beams, allowing you too, to pause and take in the view.

Created during her studies under Flight, ‘Durham Cathedral’ is an rich modernist work. An edition of it is represented at the National Gallery of Australia and it was included in museum’s 2011 travelling exhibition, ‘In the Japanese manner: Australian prints 1900 –1940’. Once underrepresented in art history, Spowers is among the legion of women who have only recently been awarded their rightful prestige. Endowed with a childlike wonder, Spowers is not only a celebrated artist, her work is delight to behold.

At Angela Tandori Fine Art, we offer specialist advice for custom framing. Local clients are welcome to consult with us at our Hawthorn workshop. Alternatively, we also offer online consultation for clients who are busy, located outside of Melbourne or both. To find out more, please message us.

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Since 2001, Angela Tandori Fine Art has been connecting people across the world with art they love. With a focus on Modern and Contemporary collectable Australian art, we offer a platform where first-time, as well as established collectors can discover art with confidence. Always available online - we are professional so you can be passionate.

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Our director, Angela Tandori is a second generation art dealer who begun working in the industry in 1998. Armed with vast experience in auctioning, valuing, exhibiting and consulting in Australian art, Angela has honed her vision for the modern collector. She holds a certificate in Auction & Valuation practice and is a member of the Art Consulting Association of Australia and an associate member of the Auctioneers and Valuers Association of Australia. Plus, she’s an avid art collector herself!